I resonate with Sondheim's relationship to form and chaos. I rotate around the cycle of curating chaos and rearranging pieces; in the process creating residue that requires repeating the process all over again.
I resonated with that too. I feel that way about writing: organizing the chaos of my notes into a relatively structured piece of writing. I love the challenge of it.
And, Jillian, you do a superb job job of organizing the chaos of your notes into such cohesive flow of information, observation and reflection. Thank you, for your diligence!
What a joy to read - and listen to, too! Several aspects struck a chord with me. 😉 First, Sondheim’s process, beginning with a meditation. I’m do this as well. In the creative process of architecture, we were taught in school to listen to classical music while we sketched various design concepts. As an author and cross-disciplinary creative, I grew up in a family that loved solving puzzles, as my father advanced that passion in us.
Thank you, Jillian, for this wonderful window into Sondheim’s creative process!
I'm fascinated by the cross-pollination of art forms--like listening to classical music while sketching architectural designs. So fascinating! I've wanted to write a post on an architect for a while now. You're comment makes me even more excited.
Shameless self-promotion here, on that topic, for my book, “Enlightened Rome” I also did all the photography and paper sculpture illustrations as inspiration from a Nolli map of the city, highlighting and “flipping” what architects commonly refer to as the “negative space” into the primary (“positive”) space. I’d love to hear more of your thoughts annd ideas.
What a wonderful post. I am so moved by the story of Sondheim's attachment to Hammerstein as a surrogate father and the impact that mentorship had on his life. All that talent and creativity channeled toward a direction that kept them together. And Sondheim's weeping at the thought of their papers being conjoined! There is brilliance, and there are the ties that bind.
Yes, I also loved learning more about their relationship. Sondheim was so generous to the younger generation, and I suspect it has something to do with how generous his mentors were with him.
I LOVE this post! Thank you for writing it. I am writing a musical myself, and am in the chaos right now. It gives me great solace to see Sondheim’s notes and read about his process/es - how the form emerges, the bit by bittiness. It’s a kind of serendipity.
So much of this is in his lyrics to 'Sunday In The Park With George'.- "Bit by bit, putting it together. Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art..."
What a wonderful and informative post, Jillian. I am now going to forward it to the composer in my life (my son!) I think he'll appreciate the "songs as puzzles" analogy. Thank you for this :)
This was wonderful. I am a huge fan of Sondheim. His ability to teach life lessons through brilliant lyrics is something I think about often. For instance, Into the Woods... "But how can you know what you want till you get what you want
I was at the 1985 performance of "Follies". I still cry when I listen to the opening number.
What an experience! I'm very jealous.
Peak Broadway experience for sure.
Thanks for posting this. I loved it. Take a deeper dive, please!
I resonate with Sondheim's relationship to form and chaos. I rotate around the cycle of curating chaos and rearranging pieces; in the process creating residue that requires repeating the process all over again.
I resonated with that too. I feel that way about writing: organizing the chaos of my notes into a relatively structured piece of writing. I love the challenge of it.
And, Jillian, you do a superb job job of organizing the chaos of your notes into such cohesive flow of information, observation and reflection. Thank you, for your diligence!
Awe! That means so much to me! I try :)
How’s your book coming along? Your productive output is remarkable!
Oh thanks! It's going well--I'm having fun writing it!
So eager to read it.
What a joy to read - and listen to, too! Several aspects struck a chord with me. 😉 First, Sondheim’s process, beginning with a meditation. I’m do this as well. In the creative process of architecture, we were taught in school to listen to classical music while we sketched various design concepts. As an author and cross-disciplinary creative, I grew up in a family that loved solving puzzles, as my father advanced that passion in us.
Thank you, Jillian, for this wonderful window into Sondheim’s creative process!
I'm fascinated by the cross-pollination of art forms--like listening to classical music while sketching architectural designs. So fascinating! I've wanted to write a post on an architect for a while now. You're comment makes me even more excited.
Shameless self-promotion here, on that topic, for my book, “Enlightened Rome” I also did all the photography and paper sculpture illustrations as inspiration from a Nolli map of the city, highlighting and “flipping” what architects commonly refer to as the “negative space” into the primary (“positive”) space. I’d love to hear more of your thoughts annd ideas.
Yes, please. An even deeper dive would be thrilling.
What a wonderful post. I am so moved by the story of Sondheim's attachment to Hammerstein as a surrogate father and the impact that mentorship had on his life. All that talent and creativity channeled toward a direction that kept them together. And Sondheim's weeping at the thought of their papers being conjoined! There is brilliance, and there are the ties that bind.
Yes, I also loved learning more about their relationship. Sondheim was so generous to the younger generation, and I suspect it has something to do with how generous his mentors were with him.
I LOVE this post! Thank you for writing it. I am writing a musical myself, and am in the chaos right now. It gives me great solace to see Sondheim’s notes and read about his process/es - how the form emerges, the bit by bittiness. It’s a kind of serendipity.
The variety of creative processes that people use is astounding.
Waiting for more…!
So much of this is in his lyrics to 'Sunday In The Park With George'.- "Bit by bit, putting it together. Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art..."
Perfect quote!
Yes, a joy to read, even though I’m not remotely musical. Always fascinating to hear about a true master’s work.
Agreed!
Thanks! What a great artist he was! He said some pithy things about collaboration, too. Have you run across any of that?
Oh yes--he had so many pithy sayings. And he was such a wonderful collaborator!
What a wonderful and informative post, Jillian. I am now going to forward it to the composer in my life (my son!) I think he'll appreciate the "songs as puzzles" analogy. Thank you for this :)
Thanks, Alyson! How wonderful to have a composer in the family!
It is! :)
This was wonderful. I am a huge fan of Sondheim. His ability to teach life lessons through brilliant lyrics is something I think about often. For instance, Into the Woods... "But how can you know what you want till you get what you want
And you see if you like it?" And so much more!!